Monday, July 17, 2023 . 8PM . Tickets On Sale March 14 at 12PM
THE FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS
For over 30 years, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have been the quintessential American band. The group’s distinctive and powerful sound, influenced by a diversity of musical styles, manifested itself into a unique musical hybrid via such barnburners as “Tuff Enuff” and “Wrap It Up”. Co-founder Kim Wilson, the sole original member, still spearheads the group as it evolves into its newest incarnation.
“We started as a straight blues band”, vocalist and harmonica player Wilson says. “We now incorporate a mixture of a lot of different styles. We’re an American music band and we’re much higher energy than we were before.”
“To be in the T-Birds, you need to understand the different styles of music and different ways of playing,” Wilson comments. “You have to be willing to adopt a more contemporary style. The guys we have now are able to do that.”’
The band continues to tour extensively, in both the US, Europe and around the world. Wilson is currently writing songs on his own, with band members and other writers.
The thread throughout the T-Birds career has been the respect the group commanded for its peerless musicianship and devotion to the sounds of blues, R & B and rock ‘n roll. In fact, Muddy Waters called Wilson his favorite harmonica player and vocalist. “Muddy Waters was very good to me,” Wilson says. “He almost adopted me. I’ll never forget him.”
For Kim Wilson, the musical journey started in Goleta, California. At 17 he began playing the harmonica. His influences included Little Walter, George “Harmonica” Smith, Lazy Lester and James Cotton. At the same time, Wilson began singing and was deeply impacted by Bobby “Blue” Bland, B.B. King, Otis Rush, Jimmy Rodgers and Muddy Waters. In search of other musicians who shared his love of the blues, Wilson headed to Minneapolis. He stayed there for a year and a half, playing locally, before moving to the burgeoning music scene of Austin, Texas. It was there that he met Jimmie Vaughan and they founded the T-Birds in 1974. The band developed a reputation as a compelling live act and subsequently signed a record deal with CBS/Epic Records.
In 1979, The Fabulous Thunderbirds released their first self-titled album. Primarily blues influenced, it became a cult classic. “Things were wide open back then,” Wilson recalls. “There were hundreds of stages where bands could show what they had.”
In subsequent releases, the band started to incorporate more Cajun, rock ‘n roll and soul influences. The album “T-Bird Rhythm” marked a creative turning point for the group as it collaborated with noted producer Nick Lowe. In 1986, The Fabulous Thunderbirds reached a commercial peak with the album, “Tuff Enuff”. The single of the same title as well as the singles “Wrap It Up” and “Look At That”, all went top 40. The song, “Tuff Enuff” was featured in the film “Gung Ho” starring Michael Keaton.
For the remainder of the ’80s, the band continued to record and tour, and released the album, “Powerful Stuff”. Jimmie Vaughn left in 1989 but Wilson kept the group going, incorporating keyboards into the guitar-driven sound. Kim moved back to California in 1996, continuing to cultivate the T-Birds music.
“The thing about the T-Birds is that we can play both blues festival and rock venues,” Wilson comments. “We’re a diversified band now and everybody’s on the same page.”
Why is there a difference in price for available seats at The Music Room?
All seating at The Music Room is acquired with a first come, first served basis approach. The Music Room provides all patrons with a live musical experience above and beyond your average concert hall, and supporting this vision are the 4 tiers of available seats at The Music Room. With a nod to classic record sales certification, the 4 tiers are: Diamond, Double Platinum, Platinum, and Gold. Seats range in price based on several factors including artist availability and distance to the stage.
Do you have the same number of seats for each tier?
No. The Diamond tier of seats only has 12 seats available. These seats are 4 top rounds located right at the foot of the stage. You cannot get any closer to the artist than these 12 seats. These are considered premium seats and are usually purchased by the most ardent fans.
The Double Platinum sections features 4 top square tables and one special 2 top rectangle, and there are 14 seats available. Still very close to the stage, these seats provide an exceptional view and personal experience. Table no. 7 is a 2 top rectangle that sits just to the right of the stage and back approximately 6 feet. It is an extremely popular table.
The Platinum section of seats has a mixture of 4 top squares, two 3 high top rounds, and 9 drink rail seats that are bar height. The total number of seats in the Platinum section is 37. These are all excellent seats and reside in the main room. Depending on a viewer’s personal taste, a table, a high top, or a drink rail might be the right choice, but they are all fabulous and unobstructed.
Gold seating is available in the bar area and can be considered first come, first serve general admission. Most of the seats are unobstructed but depending how patrons sit at the bar or high tops, there might be a slight obstruction. Standing room is permitted in the Gold section. The sound is excellent and most Gold level tickets are purchased by patrons that want to be near the bar specifically or by patrons wanting to be further away from the stage by design. Please refer to our pictures to determine if this area is what you are looking for. There are only several seats available and mostly Standing Room.
*TICKET DISCLAIMER: The Music Room has a NO REFUND POLICY. In the event of a cancellation/reschedule, The Music Room will always honor the purchased ticket for the same seat and same artist at the original price. If a show is cancelled and not rebooked, ticket holder will be issued a credit towards any future show/event at The Music Room. Ticket holder assumes all risks, hazards, and dangers. Event subject to change. No ticket required for entry. Please bring I.D*